I just need to say that before posting here, I spent some time searching these forums but found no answer to my problem which is this:- I'm using an old Dazzle DVC150 which captures fine to my hdd in Mpeg-2( using composite, as S-video only comes out as black & white ). I edit using EasyMpeg MX and save to hdd. So far so good. In order to compress the files so as to fit a DVD I've tried to do this with DVDShrink 3.2 which is a free download and purports to handle most file types. It does'nt recognise my Mpeg but seems to be looking for VIDEO_TS files instead. Does this mean I have to change my file type.? Is there a way I can compress Mpeg-2 to fit and burn to a DVD which will play on most Dvd players? My video capture device was not expensive, I bought it on Ebay but it seems to give decent sound and vision all nicely in sync.
I'm using XPpro SP2. P4 3Gig with 2Gig ram and 300GB HDD. Also I'm using Burnaware free. I could not get along with Nero
DVD Shrink is used to shrink files that have been ripped from a commercial movie DVD.
It does not work on MPEG-2 files directly.
Use DVD Flick to author your files to DVD format.
Under 'Project Settings' > 'Video' > 'Advanced' - check 'Copy MPEG-2 Streams'.
If your files are truly compatible, it will author the files without encoding;this makes the process much faster.
Assuming your source files are not longer than 2/3 hours running time, they should fit a standard disk.
Note that DVD Flick includes optional burning capabilities (it uses ImgBurn, included in the package).
I've done as you suggested and when I clck on 'Create DVD' I get message telling me the target dvd is full and I have to cut back on some stuff or alter the 'Bitrate' to make it fit. The film was on a 3 hr tape with about 1/8" of tape left. Then with my editing of the adverts etc I figure it can't be very much oversize. Would altering the bitrate effect picture quality much ? On the other hand, have jumped the gun and missed doing something I should have done........Help!
Many thanks again Attar for your very helpful advice which has enabled me to finally complete my first VHS to DVD conversion. The files worked out under 3 hours on the DVD. It actually did encode and author which lasted about 40 mins and I imagine I'm going to have to accept this as the norm unless theres a better way. I have to say that my mind is still reeling and the prospect of digitising some 60 odd VHS tapes is a little daunting. Old age is creeping up on me with a vengeance but I'm going to hang in there!! Two questions I want to ask.........
1. Am I going about it the best way capturing as MPEG-2 ? and
2. As I need to edit, is it best to do this at the MPEG stage or can I edit after authoring?
Thanks again for your help and for taking the time.
In your case, editing should be done on the native format of the captured material before further encoding or authoring.
I used a DVD recorder and there was little editing required as they were all commercial movies.
The problem with this is that some commercial tapes have Macrovision and all DVD recorders honour the protection - so in these special cases the video has to be passed through a video 'Stabilizer'.
Combo tape/disk recorders generally don't have external out/in connectors to allow the connection of the stabilizer, thus standalone units are required.
I recorded to DVD-RW disks and ripped them using DVD Shrink.
DVD Shrink 'Reauthor' mode allows some editing before backing-up and since my movies were close to two hours, there was little noticeable loss of quality.
I think I've now got to grips with the, IMO, intricacies of this VHS to DVD business insofar as I needed to know. I could not have done this without your help on this Forum so thank you once again and now perhaps we can close this thread.
Thank you lordsmurf for your input which I have noted. I have just unsuscribed from this thread now and if I need help again from you good fellows in the future................I know where to come.
